Boyzone's Stephen Gately, age 33, dies

Oct 11, 2009, 12:01 GMT

Irish boy band Boyzone members (L-R) Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Stephen Gately and Keith Duffy pose for photographs at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, Australia, on 07 November 2008. Boyzone are in Australia to promote their Australian tour. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY

Stephen Gately has died.

The 33-year-old Boyzone singer passed away in his sleep yesterday (10.10.09) while holidaying on the Spanish island of Majorca with his partner Andrew Cowles - who he wed in a civil ceremony in March 2006 - and friends.

His manager Louis Walsh said: "We're all absolutely devastated. I'm in complete shock. I only saw him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what happened yet.

"He was a great man."

The 'Love Me For A Reason' singer's friends are mystified by his death, which happened after a night out.

One pal said: "It looks like he went for a few drinks, then got back, fell asleep and never woke up."

Fellow Boyzone star Ronan Keating - who is currently in Chicago - is said to be "devastated" by the news.

A source said: "Ronan is completely distraught. No-one saw this coming. He loved Stephen like a brother, they were close. It's absolutely floored him.

"It's a massive shock to everyone and no one can take it in yet. He was a man in the prime of his life, and this is a huge tragedy."

Stephen's bandmates - Ronan, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham - are planning to fly to Majorca tomorrow (12.10.09) .

Shane told Britain's News of the World newspaper: "Me and the boys are flying out. We just need to get over to where he's passed and work out what we need to do."

Boyzone formed in 1993 and achieved six UK number one singles.

They disbanded in 2000 - with Stephen the first member to launch a solo career - and reformed in 2007.